For those who are not familiar with the concept...In simpler terms, "Prompting is essentially giving instructions to an AI tool to perform a specific task. It's like telling the AI what you want it to do." These tasks can include: creating an image, writing a text, answering a question, solving a problem or generating ideas. In the rapidly evolving landscape of design, artificial intelligence (AI) has emerged as a powerful tool that is reshaping the graphic design industry. As AI continues to advance, it's natural to wonder about the future role of graphic designers. However, this isn't the first time our profession has faced a technological revolution.

Back in the day, everything in graphic design was done manually. Then, our profession evolved into a software-based discipline with the introduction of groundbreaking programs like MacPaint (1984), Adobe PageMaker (1985), and Adobe Photoshop (1990). These tools didn't replace designers; instead, they enhanced our capabilities and changed how our profession was perceived. Similarly, AI is poised to be the next transformative force in our field. Just as the shift to digital tools redefined graphic design, AI will likely contribute to changing the perception of our profession once again. The key difference now is the emergence of a new role: the prompter.

While designers bring years of experience, creative vision, and a deep understanding of design principles to the table (color, composition, typography…), prompters specialize in crafting precise instructions for AI tools. Designers create from scratch, considering brand identity, user experience, and visual communication strategies. Prompters, on the other hand, focus on guiding AI to generate initial concepts or execute specific tasks.

However, the line between designing and prompting is blurring. Effective prompting often requires design knowledge to yield high-quality results. A strong interdisciplinary background remains crucial. The value of knowledge in art, history, and literature. This broad foundation enables professionals to create more nuanced work, whether through traditional methods or AI-assisted processes. For example, understanding art movements like Bauhaus or De Stijl, artists like Mondrian or even Velázquez can inform both design choices and AI prompts, resulting in more sophisticated and contextually relevant outputs.

So, as AI evolves, successful professionals will likely blend traditional design skills with prompting expertise, much like how designers adapted to digital tools in the past. This hybrid approach, championed by forward-thinking creatives like Beeple (Mike Winkelmann), allows for unprecedented creativity and efficiency in graphic design.

(Prompt to the image created with Midjourney: Fingerprint maze, Keith Haring style)